I've got a problem . . . not my dog, me - I'm sure! :-)

A long while back I posted that I had gotten a treadmill just for "walking" my dogs. While I'm on the mend, my back problems still persist and I simply must rely on the treadmill for much of the exercise my dogs get right now.

Three of them LOVE the treadmill . . . can't wait. I first coaxed them by putting tiny treats on the walking serface. Before long they just run to it, wagging their tails etc. All except ONE. My Catahoula!

She is just over a year and 3 months old (15 months) and, at first, seemed to love the treadmill, too. However, now she just won't go near it. When I can get her close enough to it she just lies down and rolls over. She seems to really not want to do her daily walks at all. Now, she WILL die to get out and play tug (which I can only do for about 15 minutes). But, what can I do to motivate Molly a bit to at least get on the treadmill. She is the main reason I got the thing because she is a high energy dog and, as Don Abney says, "You must be ready to teach and exercise a Catahoula. If not, he will eat your house."

She's a GREAT dog and never lets me forget to pay attention to her. She just needs to do the exercise thing.

"She is just over a year and 3 months old (15 months) and, at first, seemed to love the treadmill, too. However, now she just won't go near it. "



Did something happen?

Connie, I think I pushed her a bit too much at the beginning thinking that time on the treadmill should equal the time we spent walking ... about 45 mins. I now think that is probably 2 or 3 times too long to be on the treadmill at one time. Other than that, nothing has happened ... no negative things such as accidents or scary things. Nada

I do know one thing, she is really motivated by playing (esp tug).

Do you know how to go about desensitizing, step by step?

That is, start with it turned OFF (maybe even in disguise, but not to trick her .... like towel thrown over it) and do HV treat stuff and tug kinda near it, then the next day a little nearer, then one day no disguise, etc., etc.

I would do this very gradually, and when I got to the point of actually having her on it, I still would not turn it on yet.

And when I DID turn it on, it would be for a few seconds, then off, and a bit of tug.

I agree that you way overdid it with 45 minutes to start. I'd take my time undoing the perception she has now.


JMO!

Ok...I'll start that desensitizing right away.
What is "HV treat stuff" . . .?

thanks again!

 Quote: George Tate

Ok...I'll start that desensitizing right away.
What is "HV treat stuff" . . .?

thanks again!

Do you marker train?

It means the kind of session that involves high-value rewards and and holds her interest and engagement.

I would start pretty far away and just for a minute.




ETA
Do you know that you have a PM?


Edited by Connie Sutherland (04/04/2013 09:44 PM)
Edit reason: ETA

Connie . . .
Actually, now that you remind me, I do know what "HV treat stuff" is! :-)

I need to move her crate away from the treadmill, too. It's been close all this time. Probably not a good idea.

Thanks again!

Oh, yes. I DO marker train. "YES!" And, she's pretty good at it, too.

I did a little reading up last night on treadmill training.

45 minutes (according to what I read) was wildly overlong for a beginner, and in fact would be too long for a fully trained and worked-up-to time for most dogs. As you mentioned, 20 minutes would be more in the ballpark, but would be worked up to quite gradually.

Three articles I read started with 3-5 minute sessions for an entire week; another one started with one minute and added one minute each day for that first week.

There was also detailed warmup and cool-down instruction.

Want some material to read after she has recovered from her anxiety about it?

OMG, Connie . . .
YES, I would like material to read for =after= her recovery.

thanks mucho

You got it!


http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/08/26/treadmill-training-for-the-canine-in-your-life.aspx
(Scroll to Tips for Treadmill Training Your Pup)

http://www.mndogtraining.com/article_treadmill_instruction_1.html
http://www.mndogtraining.com/article_treadmill_instruction_2.html

http://www.squidoo.com/dogtreadmill